Calendar of Events

MHHV and the Royal Historical Society of Victoria will hold a one day conference at the RHSV on Saturday 27 April 2013, between 9 am and 4.30 pm: The conference will be opened by Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO CSC RAN , Chief of Navy (TBC) and the keynote speaker will be Dr David Stevens, […]

A memorial rifle match using classic .303-inch service rifles from the WWII era, between members of the Victorian Rifle Association and the Military Rifles Club of the SSAA, for the El Alamein Trophy. Deliberate, Rapid and Volley firing serials. Spectators welcome.  Contact Nick O’Brien – email obrienns@optusnet.com.au or phone 0438 309 855

An inaugural Commemoration Service at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. An inaugural Commemoration Service is planned for Saturday 14th July 2102 at 1400hrs for 1430 hrs, at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance, to remember the service and sacrifice of the RAAF (and other allied Air Forces) who served in the secret "Special Duties" (SD) Squadrons […]

39th Australian Infantry Battalion Association (1941-43) Inc. 70th Anniversary of Kokoda fundraising lunch Thursday 26th July 2012 noon for 12:30 RACV Club, level 17, 501 Bourke street, Melbourne Guest speaker: Lieutenant General David Morrison AO Chief of the Army In the presence of Kokoda diggers Tickets $125 per person. Tables of 10: $1250 (ww2 veterans […]

The book will be launched by Stuart Hughes, manager of the Point Nepean National Park. Barrie Follows will then speak followed by Dr Bob Marmion who will talk on Victorian Defences 1803-1945. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase at $20 each.

The Victorian Colonial Infantry will form a guard of honour during the event commemorating the Foundation day of Victoria.

Military History group meeting this friday at Croydon library¬†at 2pm. Our guest speaker will be MHHV Member David Holloway who has written an excellent book on the 4th Light Horse called "Endure and Fight : a detailed history of the 4th Light Horse Regiment, AIF, 1914-19 Gallipoli, Sinai and Palestine, France and Belgium". He will […]

Deakin University Cultural Heritage Seminar by Dr Marina Larsson The Centenary of World War One (2014-18) will be a significant¬†international event. Known as the 'Anzac Centenary' in Australia, this¬†anniversary will see a renewed focus on preserving the heritage of war and¬†telling the histories of this era. Dr Marina Larsson will present a¬†discussion of war-related heritage […]

Much has been written, particularly in recent years, about the costly attack at Fromelles on 19 July 1916. Much has been written, particularly in recent years, about the costly attack at Fromelles on 19 July 1916. If some have called it the forgotten battle, an epithet which was never really merited, they can hardly do […]

'Sir Sidney Smith RN' a hero from the age of sail in the tradition of 'HornBlower', Cochrane' etc. Serving in the American and French revolutionary wars, he later rose to the rank of admiral. Napoleon Bonaparte, reminiscing later in his life, said of him: "That man made me miss my destiny". The presentation prepared by […]

The Forgotten Cruiser: HMAS MELBOURNE (I)¬† Australia‚Äôs first light cruiser arrived in Melbourne in March 1913. Serving until 1928, it received the battle honours of Rabaul 1914 and North Sea 1916-1918. MELBOURNE ¬†was a work horse of the RAN, somewhat overshadowed by its sister ship SYDNEY but won accolades for the hazardous rescue at the […]

Presented by Pattie Wright Many would call these two men heroes and they would be right. Sadly,only one returned. Hec Waller was an RAN Captain, and Weary Dunlop, a Lieutenant Colonel, a¬†doctor and POW. What are the odds that two of Australia‚Äôs greatest came from what was then a¬†small town by a river in northwest […]